JazzyJude

DON'T be sad Angela! You may be starting over but at least without the pain and swollen from the band surgery! Take this as a positive challenge as you have experience under your belt now! Also, make it a game with yourself! Pretend you are one of the candidates in the Biggest Loser Challenge and you are starting on day one tomorrow. I'll bet that you will lose some if you get your 'mindset' ready for this. Don't think negative but an opportunity to show that you've learned some valuable insights thus far, from Dr O and his staff, and the forum and your other supporters. (I'll be your 'Jillian'!)... =D> I am rooting for you...YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

KIm and Carrie! I KNOW the feeling!!! The only difference between you two and me is that I am alterating my own clothes until I wear them out and THEN I an going to buy new clothes...isn't it something!!! Keep the focus and the faith...you WILL get there!! HOW PROUD ARE WE?? YEAH!! Jazzy!!

Angela, I agree with Karen. If you are concern, call OCC and ask questions and get the medical attention you need. Don't risk and take chances... Now, I had my 3rd fill last month and right now, I am tight as a tick...due to STRESS! So, yes, your stomach swells up when you are stressed out and, of course, your band is NOT giving an inch for relief! I went on soups and protein shakes to help and it did. Now I am thinking of doing the 5 day pouch diet for two reasons ~ to see how my band really is and to jump start my weight loss again. I've not PB'd as I am watching what and how I am eating before that 'tightness' begins. Good luck and keep us posted!! Jazzy!!

To me, that's a sign of not eating/drinking enough and how much proteins have you had for the day? I am concern that you may be too tight? You may need an unfill. I am not a medical advisor, but if I was in your situation, I would contact the nutritionist or your fill doc and ask questions and see what they say. After your fill, you shouldn't be too tight as not to eat a meal without any issues. Also, whenever I travel, I ALWAYS take a protein shake packet (I've a quart-size ziplock bag that has a measured out protein powder in a snack-size ziplock baggie; one 8 oz water bottle (mine is Costco's), and a shaker (I used a washed out drinkable yogurt bottle) to mix the protein shake. Also, if I am going for more than 3 or 4 days, I would take a liquid whey protein bullet (I get these at GNC and mix it with a flavored Crystal light drink). Hope this helps...good luck ~ Jazzy!!

HI sweetie! WELCOME to Bandland! If you are feeling full then you are doing it right! I've yet to meet anyone who hasn't had a fill after their first 6 to 8 weeks post op. And I've never been told about 'their intention' of never having a fill either. That is what keeps the business going. Unless you have a different kind of band than I do, that is awesome. Since you've had recent surgery, you are still in the healing stage and basically until 3 months post surgery. This is the 'recovery' time for your body to adjust with the band. If you are diligent in following the food plan and you have a strong will power, you will surpass the difficult days during the 21 day post op plan. The same goes for the solid stage too. Everyone has their own threshold of willpower and band power. If it gets too difficult for you to stay on track, then you might need a fill. The same as for plateauing, you might be doing everything ok but not bulging one way or the other and you've tried other options to get going, you might need a fill. You can also contact Dr. Miranda for assistance if you need it and she can guide you. Hope this helps and good luck with your weight loss!! Jazzy!!

Thank you Shiney!! I have to admit it's amazing from my point of view. And when I put on my existing clothes and notice how 'roomy' it is, I get all warm and fuzzy like! I don't buy new clothes as I know I will just end up buying new clothes later...so I alterate my clothes until there is no shape to them. There I will go to the thrift store and go shopping there! Jazzy!!

Hi Rhonda...ok, up on the top right side, just below the NEW TOPIC button, is another button "OPTIONS". Click on it and you will have a few options to track, email, print or download this topic. I normally would print it and put it in my binder for lapband for future use. I've also would copy right on the post and paste it on Excel and keep a 'book' of infor that way too, in case I didn't want to print anything. Hope this helps you...Jazzy!!

Oh Stormy I, too, wanted to hear how it went. I am glad you are sticking it out. You will definitely be kicking their butts AND losing some weight too! AWESOME!! Please keep us posted and let me know how you really like it. I've thought of doing this but like you...I keep thinking I would try to run or jump towards the pole and miss! LOL...hmm, maybe I should try to get a pole at home to practice with, eh? lol Good luck with the classes...you give it your all! Jazzy!!

YEAH!! FABULOUS news for you! You keep going girl...you are going places now! Trust me, at first, using those silly measuring cups/spoons seems like a waste of time...but once you 'see' the pounds melt away, you will LOVE them! Way to go Happy Girl ~ how proud are you today! Jazzy!!

Nazish...thanks for your kind words and YOU CAN DO THIS too! Have your 'mindset' in place and know what you want and follow it. Have your goals ALWAYS updated and as you reached them (make them small, reachable ones), write new ones in. It's awe-inspiring to oneself when you can 'cross' off your goals and do more...it's actually excites you and that motivates you to keep going! Good luck babe...Jazzy!!

Rhonda!! My goodness girl! I am so glad you stop by and post to let us know how you are doing. YOU keep the focus and faith! The band really, really works if you just let it be. Just let go of the food and live your life and you are on your way! I guess I am one of those people who really listens and be a stickler to do exactly what I should be doing. I am determine and I've got the drive and I want to succeed. Don't get me wrong, I do have my 'fallen days'...but I don't think negative about it, brush myself off and move forward. Hope to see you more often Rhonda!! ((HUGS!!))...Jazzy!!

I go to SparkPeople.com to track my nutrition and fitness and has made a major change in my life right now and THIS is what got me started to lose the weight again. I've lost 14lbs in the 8 weeks since I've started on the Biggest Loser challenge and which I am now leading the team with another person. I average between 1200 to 1550 calories a day and burn between 1695 to 1970 calories a day. It all depends on what I eat for the day and what exercises I do as well. For what exactly I eat...I added to my post "61 pounds gone...Forever" (the 2nd page) and I plan out my meals once a week, over the weekend, and that is what I eat for the week. This helps with the economy and not waiting for the last minute to decide what to eat. Planning ahead helps me and in some days, I will add a snack in. I use to try to figure out my daily calories and would get frustrated and would be plateauing a lot. But using SparkPeople's trackers, for me, make it SO MUCH EASIER!! I love it and as well the fitness tracker helps me. With both of these tools, I can SEE where I would need to add or delte any foods or fitness for the day and I would do this weekly and I am all set for the week! For exercises, well I've learned A LOT on this and so, so, so grateful for SparkPeople to assist me on this. I do strength training with or without weights EVERY OTHER DAY, and do cardio every day. I do not go to the gym and I am pretty active on my own and in my home. I walk anywhere between 5 to 7 miles a day (3 - 4 miles walking in front of my TV using Leslie Sansone's "Walk the Pounds Away" video EVERY morning - one of her tapes goes with me on vacation/RVing too!!). After work, I walk outside for another 3 or 4 miles, depending on the weather and time of day. I do Turbo Jam, Billy Banks' Bootcamp (this one is a sweater!!), Slim in 6, 10-minute Trainer and other videos. I have a stair step machine and use it outside for a refreshing scenery, jump roping and jumping jacks, Tai Chi and some Taek Wan Do, Pilates. I TOTALLY LOVE watching FitTV ~ Gilad and Cathe (between 3 am to 5 am in the mornings). This list can go on and on but I think you get the idea. I am forever changing and some days I would copy the same cardio from day to day then mix it up again. The thing to remember is to have a choice to do whatever you like and try different exercises to see what YOU like, not what someone tells you to do... What motivating me currently? Watching the weekly Biggest Loser on Tuesday evenings and apply the attitude in doing the Biggest Loser Challenge teams I am currently in on SparkPeople. But, this is my motivation...what are yours? I've a goal and I am focusing on it, not on food anymore. Like Lisa says, live your life! PS ~ if anyone is interested in doing the BL challenge, the team is opening up until Monday for new members and then we close the team for privacy for the 8 week challenge. Send me an PM with your email address. NO MATTER WHAT...I would never have done any weight loss without my band! I can honestly say, if I had not the band, I would not have lost the 65 lbs thus far and proabably would have gained some. I LOVE MY BAND!!! Thank you Dr O!!!

Your first fill is like a 'primer' for your body to accept the tightness of the band...again. Both my 1st and 1nd fill, I didn't feel restriction until a week later. With my first fill, I booked another fill 4 weeks later and then my second fill was a good one for about 3 months and my 3rd fill is my 'sweet spot' right now. So, tell her to hang on, it's only been a lttle over a month since she's been banded. It takes time and patience. Keep busy to help pass the time and DON'T focus too hard on the food. Live and let live right now and do lots of walking. Get an iPod and do some walkabouts. Get into some hobbies to focus on some good things in life. Life goes on, food or no food, still have other things in life to explore. All the best...Jazzy!!

Hi Happy Girl! WELCOME to Bandland! You are doing AMAZING thus far! Don't worry about still being obsessed with food...that is only natural and soon enough you will not be thinking of it at all...in fact, you may at times 'forget' to eat (yeah, can you imagine that?). Ah, so you've past the clear and creamy soup stage it seems and ready to eat solids. As a reminder, everyone is totally different and eat different foods. I was more focusing on proteins than anthing else. Dr. O said to eat 1/3 of what you use to eat and this is a good rule of thumb after your first 21 days post op until you get your 1st or 2nd fill. After that, it's what you can handle. But you first and foremost is proteins, then veggies/fruits, and if you've the room, carbs/starches. Currently, I cannot eat 1/3 of what I use to...no way! My restriction is not allowing that much food in me and I don't even miss it! When I think I am hungry, I reach for a water and wait it out for 10 minutes or so and if I am still hungry, then I reach for a 'grab-bit' bag of snack items to eat and that satisfies me. I ALWAYS measure my foods...every meal and I use the measuring cups/spoons. I use the same ratio for all meals: ~ 3 to 4 oz of PROTEINS (meats, chicken, pork, fish, beans) ~ 2 oz of Veggies/Fruits ~ 2 oz of Carbs/starches (rice, pasta, breads, potatoes) Drinking is just as important too. I drink between 8 to 10 (8) oz of water daily. My first 3 months I was drinking a lot of Special K Protein Water (love the Berry flavor)...and I still do have it from time to time. I drink mostly plain water but do love those wonderful "to go" drink packets too! Tea and hot cocoa are my other drinks. When I started on solids, I progressed from softer to denser foods, to get my new pouch reacquianted with eating solids. I did a lot of repetitive meals as it was either easier or I was able to eat and was within my calorie range.tuna, pinto beans with cheese from Taco Bell, pork chops, moist chicken (I kept chicken in some kind of juice). Dark meat is easier than white meat. These are example of what I ate post op: (NOTE ~ a variety of soups, chilis, and stews! - this is my all time fave for all meals!) BREAKFAST: ~ Scrambled eggs, with bacon and cheese with salsa ~ Quaker Instant Oatmeal (Maple and Brown Sugar) and would add bananas, raisins, or some berries ~ Protein shake (chocolate and strawberry together OR chocolate and peanut butter powder) ~ Honey Nut Cheerios ~ Yogurt with berries LUNCH or DINNER: ~ Pinto beans with Cheese from Taco Bell (I had this at least once a week or more!) - high proteins for me! ~ Tuna fish ~ Cottage Cheese ~ Mashed cauliflower with herbs and spices and spray butter ~ Top Ramen noodles (do not use the flavor packet) boiled in chicken or beef broth. Add real bacon bits ~ Quinoa (it's like a rice pasta) and add veggies and I've used low sodium terriyaki sauce OR lemon and butter and herbs/spices - yummo! ~ Salad with chicken or steak and cheese ~ Baked potatoes, without the skin, and add veggies on top with either melted cheese, Greek or Italian yogurt (HIGH in proteins!), or even creamed cheese Of course, this is not a complete list but to give you some ideas of what I eat. As the more fills I get, I've noticed I can eat certain things, such as breads, firmer eggs, real densed foods like carrots, radishes, and hamburger. I don't overload my proteins in one meal either ~ the max would be 25 grams per meal. I do snack in between meals IF I need it. Snacks are pretty much Wheat Thins and cheese, apples with cheese melted or peanut butter, beef steak nuggets (beef jerky), Special K fruit bars, 100 calories snacks, fudgesicles, pudding, jello, nuts, some protein bars such as the Luna bar. I use to eat celery with either cream cheese or peanut butter. I would even have a spoonful of peanut butter alone! Just all depends on my cravings. When I workout, I am upping my calories (1200 to 1550) and proteins (70 to 90 grams) too. After my morning workout in the wee hours, I will have a protein shake within 30 minutes to help with the muscle building, toning and firming. I walk anywhere between 5 to 7 miles a day and this has been a great motivator for me as I've lost inches by walking around. I do NOT do frozen dinners at all. I prefer my own cooking and once in a great blue moon, I will go out and when I do, I select either a salad, soup, chili, or stew. You can't go wrong with any of those choices. Hope this helps ~ sorry for this being long winded! Good luck and remember to keep track of what you are eating...major plus in my books (smile)! It helps keeps you accountable. Jazzy!!

Hi Bella! Thank you...and YES!! It can change your way of thinking what is more important to you healthwise. TRUST me...it took me awhile, but now all I can focus on is the fitness and keeping busy with living my own life now...and I am finding new things to try, new places to go, and new friends to know! It's amazing and so incredibly fun! I am determine now more than ever to live my life to the fullest. My birthday is this coming Saturday and I am excited!! I feel fantastic!! YOU CAN DO THIS...keep the focus on your dream and you shall have it! Jazzy!!

THANK YOU so much ~ Great to see you! I am trying and since I've posted this thread, I've lost another 4 lbs...and I am taking it!! ((HUGS!!))...Jazzy!!

I love pizza too...but currently, can't eat the crust ~ no matter if it's thin or not. So, I just make a 'fake' crust either buy putting the toppings on the wax paper and bake it as is and eat it OR I would do a rice crust with cheese mixed in and top with whatever topping I want on top and VIOLA!

WELCOME TO BANDLAND Dan! That is just awesome! Just remember to sip, sip, sip and WALK, WALK, WALK! These two will get you started on the right track! Please keep us posted on how you are doing. You are gong for an amazing adventure for sure! Congrats!! Jazzy!!

Ute! You love FANTASTIC!!! Your smile says it all ~ "I Can, I Will, I Am!!" You go girl...you are going to reach your goal any day now! HOW PROUD ARE YOU RIGHT NOW? Yeah!! Jazzy!!

LOL...I am dying here laughing and listening to you all talk about this...but I know it's not a laughing matter as I would need something too. I dont' really know the true difference between a lift vs. implant either. I'm larged chested, with wearing a bra, my chest is 52" around...but similiar to Pammie, without them, they are large hanging things!! So, would that mean I need just a lift only?

I am trying to find the words at this very moment and I am getting a brain fart, so bear with me... Your new small pouch is at the top region of your stomach and then upwards starts your throat (esophagus). So, let's picture this first and then we will go from there. When you blow into an inflated balloon, you start to see the air starts to fill in, which equals to be like your new pouch. The area that isn't filled in yet would be the start of your throat region. Now, if you tied the balloon as is, with only a little air in it, you would have a balloon, that's half full and the remaining of the balloon not filled. If you were to squeeze the portion with the air-filled (your new pouch), you will notice the unfilled portion of the balloon is starting to fill up (your entrance to the throat area)...which then starts to fill in. This is very similiar to your pouch being full or have food particles stuck, and you have food stacking up on top of each other and it starts to backfire up your throat region, thus giving you that 'tightness' you feel. If you continue to eat and don't stop, that tightness starts to hurt and causes you pain. So, how to prevent this? Cut your foods to dime-size or smaller, chew your foods real good before swallowing, and take the time to eat without rushing. When the tightness to grow and continue, when you even start to feel the slightess restriction or tightness in your throat, STOP what you are eating or drinking. THIS is your clue that your pouch has reached capacity or there's food stuck covering your hole to your old tummy. Wait it out, if you are sliming, just go to the loo and see if you need to upchuck for relief. I PB'd once and that was it. I've had several 'beginning tightness' and I stopped eating immediately. As I recognized it was an early sign for me, I was able to walk it out, raise my arms up and that was it. I wait out a good 10 minutes before I resume to finish my meal and start over. I do not drink anything, as it would push the food through and that is not a good thing either. Hope this helps you and not too much info, and you are feeling much better now...Jazzy!

Thanks Vicki for sharing this. Yes, I have the Creamy Italian I bought from Henry's...delish! I also got the Thousand Island and the one for coleslaw too. I am planning to get the Blue cheese next time. And while I was there, I picked up the Metromint water - NOW this is good! There's 6 flavors to choose from - Peppermint, Cherrymint, Orangeminit, Lemonmint, and my fave, Chocolatemint. OH so good! and the best part - NO calories as it's not sweetened at all. Although, if you wanted it sweetened, I guess you can add Stevia drops or use other sweeteners. Sorry, didn't mean to go off subject.

Thank you so much for sharing this. I love to hear from the 'older' bandsters to see how they are doing and such and to hear your story of how much you've lost and you are maintaining it well AND reaching your own personal goal! That is AWESOME! This is what I needed right now...as I am losing slowly but this is what my body is saying we are plateauing a bit so I can catch up with the lost!! I bet you FEEL wonderful AND you should be PROUD of yourself ~ I am!! G'luck with the remaining 20 lbs...you will succeed in no time. Jazzy!!

Carrie - P90X is going to be my NEXT series of exercises. I am not quite ready for that high intense just yet. Let me know how you are doing with it...I am VERY interested!! Dana ~ there is only one Turbo Jam and it has (5) CDs plus the Punch, Kick and Jam bonus CD, plus you get the scupt gloves, the elite cards (showing how to do the exercises on 3 x 5 cards like), and other goodies too. Here's the (5) CDs you get with it. I really like the Learn and Burn because it's an all over body workout and it just makes you sweat and feel great afterwards! I do the 20 Minute Workout CD every day and evening...it's fun! Learn & Burn - this is the one you start with Chalene leads you through her signature "Elite 11" moves you'll use to blast pounds and inches! (30 minutes) Turbo Sculpt A tighten-and-tone session to reshape, trim, and flatten those problem areas. (40 minutes) 20 Minute Workout - I do this in the mornings and evenings currently A quick, full-body workout for when you're short on time. (20 minutes) Cardio Party A turbocharged dance fest—you won't want this calorie blaster to end! (45 minutes) Ab Jam An ab routine that attacks your core from every angle for lean, sexy abs. (20 minutes) You can order it through beachbody.com or call their 800 number.

Dana and Angie...my heart goes out to both of you as you are doing your weight loss journey with the lapband...and what a coincidence both of your Aunts had GB surgery. Just know they are smiling down at you right now with your choice with the band and you WILL succeed in reaching your final goal weight. In a small way, your Aunt is with you, cheering you on, and help you with your wise choices along the way... Chin up, keep smiling and go forward to live long and enjoy what life has to offer you. Know that we are thinking of you...(HUGS!)..Jazzy!!